The Seven Keys

Chapter 5

     It had been two days since Avery's departure from the cottage in Secret Steppe and Damian was preparing to make his long journey to River Rock by foot. He wasn't too keen to deliver the information to Avery's parents about her whereabouts on her behalf. A great deal of time had passed since he saw Avery seated on the couch that first night. They probably thought she was dead. Even though he was to tell them she was alive, it would be weird coming from him. He wished Hilda could do it herself, or at least accompany him. However, Hilda was becoming much too old for long trips through forests and she had a legacy to protect.

     He checked and double-checked to make sure that he had everything he needed: a stash of dry foods, a canteen of water, an extra pair of socks, a sleeping bag, compass. This was his way of putting off the inevitable, though he would never admit that. He wasn't sure if it was the journey or having to talk to Avery's likely grieving parents that he despised the most about this plan. But, he would do as Hilda asked. He did owe his life to her after all. If Hilda hadn't found when she did, who knows what would have happened to him?

     "Are you ready to go, Damian? You need to take advantage of as much daylight as you can," Hilda asked, standing in the doorframe to Damian's room.

     "Yes, I think so. I can't think of anything else that I'd possibly need," he responded.

     "Very well. I will see you off then, yes?" said Hilda with a sigh.

     Damian nodded and made his way to the front door with Hilda closely behind. He reached for the doorknob and with a flash of a half-smile, turned the knob and left.

     Hilda always dreaded when Damian would depart. It meant that she was alone once again. She didn't mind being alone, but she enjoyed having someone to look after. It gave her a purpose, one that she never could've fulfilled without him since she didn't have any children of her own to care for. Being a Keeper of the Prophecy could be daunting at times, but taking care of Damian was a nice break from her duties from time to time.

     Although she knew that Damian was more than capable of surviving on his own, she always assumed the worst would happen. She regularly thought back to the day she found him with a large gash on his forehead, scraped and bruised, a short way into the forest. He had been very young then, only fourteen. Having someone in her home wasn't something she was used to, but she knew he could die if she just left him there. Without a second thought, she helped him back to the cottage where she'd lived alone for thirty years and tended to his wounds.

     When he was well enough to speak, Hilda learned that he had no family and was on his own. She gave him a chance at life again by educating him on the secrets of the Prophecy so that he may one day have the opportunity to help put an end to it. He was eager to have something of importance to do with his life and their relationship became one that she would cherish forever, so much that she now considered him her own. She also knew that he felt the same way, and she always found comfort in that.

     There was a slight chill in the air as the sun made its way into the sky that morning. Luckily, it would warm up soon before Damian had to start pushing way through the dense forests. He always enjoyed being sheltered by trees. It was peaceful, to be surrounded by nature and the countless noises of animals they inhabited. He hummed to himself a light and happy tune for entertainment while he walked. He believed it always made his journeys seem shorter.

     After what Damian thought had been four hours, he decided to stop for a light snack by a small creek that snaked its way through the forest to fill his canteen and a short rest. He was used to making long trips by foot, but his feet ached from all the uneven terrain and the occasional tree branch poking him in the side of his boot. Not wasting any more time than he deemed necessary, he set back off towards River Ridge.